At the beginning of August, we published a short guide to secondary gold purchases – a lucrative option that can offer an affordable means of acquiring investment-grade gold bullion.

Today we’re looking specifically at the benefits of the secondary gold market and how investors might use it to their advantage.

If you’re a first-time investor or a savvy trader looking for legitimate opportunities to buy cheap gold bars, the secondary gold market could be for you. Likewise, if you’re an experienced investor seeking good deals on large amounts of gold bullion, you could avoid paying premiums by opting for the secondary market.

Buy top quality cheap gold bars

Despite what many people may think, secondary gold doesn’t always mean lower quality. Many products for sale on the secondary gold market are in fine condition, having been packaged, stored and transported with great care.

It’s not uncommon to find second-hand gold products in an as-new condition, particularly when they’ve been sealed in a secure certicard, like those from PAMP or Metalor.

Where they’ve been removed from such protective packaging, gold bars will generally be sold with a reduced fashion fee (the premium added to cover the cost of packaging and production), making them a good choice for those looking to buy cheap gold bars.

It's also worth remembering that, even when a gold bullion bar or coin isn’t packaged and it does show wear and tear, the value of the fine gold contained within it is still the same.

The value of secondary gold is directly related to the live spot price, meaning its price will reflect the current market price no matter its age.

Find old and rare gold coins

The nature of gold coin collecting means that many of the most sought-after and valuable coins will only be available secondhand, meaning collectors are likely to be familiar with the secondary gold market already.

Whilst each collector has their own individual goals that dictate which coins they’ll pursue, coins that are no longer being produced – either because they’ve been discontinued completely or because their design has been updated – are favourable amongst many collectors.

These coins can often be the most valuable, particularly if they’re old and rare, making them a worthwhile investment product that is likely to increase in value over time.

Whether you’re exploring gold coins or gold bars on the secondary market, always remember to look for a reputable seller with an excellent established reputation and be very wary of anyone offering a deal on eBay, Gumtree or similar that sounds ‘too good to be true’ – it probably is.